Final regulatory approval would allow the San Antonio-based medical equipment maker to tap into the Japanese market with its top money making device. Once approved, KCI officials estimate Japan could be the No. 2 market for its V.A.C. products, which currently account for about 70 percent of the company’s total revenue.

“This is exciting news for the medical community and patients in Japan,” Catherine Burzik, KCI’s president and CEO said in statement. “Our vision is to transform wound care in Japan by delivering advanced healing solutions and clinical know-how in a way that produces unparalleled outcomes.”

KCI officials say once regulatory approval is obtained, the company will have to wait for government officials to approve a reimbursement plan before it starts marketing the V.A.C. line in Japan. That’s expected to happen around April 2010, Burzik told investors and analysts in July.